FYI Blog

Avalon Dispatch 02.10.21

  Dear friends, Black History Month continues, and I am so grateful for the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s programming. This week’s events include a poetry workshop, a dialogue on race and medicine as represented in Smithsonian objects, and Artful Observations, an hourlong discussion of one work of art from the museum’s collections. The Avalon […]

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February 10, 2021

Avalon Dispatch 02.02.21

  Dear friends, Hang on to your hats! Biden is methodically undoing Trump’s policies, and many of them affect issues we care deeply about. I was delighted to see orders expanding LGBTQ antidiscrimination protections and enabling transgender people to serve in the military, followed by several executive actions on equity and environmental justice. Add these to his work on climate […]

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February 2, 2021

COVID-19 Response and Resources

  In this unprecedented time, Avalon is here.   Here for our staff.   Our first priority is the safety of Avalon staff and clients. On March 2nd Avalon ceased company travel, and on March 12th we shifted fully to remote work. We have been telecommuter-friendly for 20+ years, which helped make this a seamless […]

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January 27, 2021

Avalon Dispatch 01.26.21

  Dear friends, We made it to the Biden era! For many of us, this marks the REAL beginning of 2021 – and a sigh of relief that Trump’s chaos is over. I am thrilled to see renewed focus and leadership from the executive branch. The inauguration was historic in many ways ­(yay, Kamala!), and […]

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January 26, 2021

Avalon Dispatch: It’s a big week.

  Dear friends, I send you this letter on the Tuesday between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration. It is quite the juxtaposition, especially this year. I hope you find meaningful ways to mark both occasions, along with everything they represent. On an important fundraising note, Avalon is prepared to respond […]

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January 19, 2021

DMAW AdVents January 2021: Rethinking Engagement for Remote Teams

Rethinking Engagement for R… by Allison Porter

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January 14, 2021

Avalon Dispatch 01.12.21

  Dear friends, Last week was difficult, especially for those of us who love DC. I will never forget the chaotic images from the Capitol, which I never imagined possible, or the outrageously incongruent policing. At the same time, everyone on the side of progressive change has cause for celebration: Biden’s certification and Democrats’ Georgia Senate […]

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January 12, 2021

Avalon Dispatch 1.05.21

  Dear friends, Happy new year! I hope that everyone found meaningful ways to enjoy the December holidays, and rest. It was a low-key Christmas here, but I have begun to appreciate the beauty of a quieter schedule. And it is always a treat to spend time with Luca, Alex, and my canine children, Churchill […]

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January 5, 2021

Avalon Dispatch 12.22.20

  Dear friends, We are at the end of this incredibly challenging year, and I hardly have words for the experience. Suffice it to say that, amid exhaustion, worry, and loss, I also feel immense pride at how we have responded together. The nonprofit sector and our community of fundraisers not only have done the […]

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December 22, 2020

Avalon Dispatch 12.15.20

  Dear friends, As I write this, the Electoral College is convening across the country to elect our next president. I thought NPR captured the moment well with this sentiment from first-time Pennsylvania elector Nina Ahmad: “I’m feeling excited. I’m feeling glad that the day is finally here and we can do our duty and move on.” […]

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December 15, 2020